Summer In The City. CSI MIAMI FIC part 4

the evening

"I brought the wine. Where's Jeffrey?"
"Took kids fishing. Coming back tomorrow."
"Oh. Need any help?" Speed entered the kitchen full of  gorgeous smells. He cooked well, but Alexx' dishes were one of a kind. When he used to live here he often cooked.
"Lasagne?"
"Yeah. I know you both like it. Lay the table and put the glasses."
"Oh... Sure". He left. Alexx was watching him closely. Not shaven but washed his thick dark hair and she smelled his cologne. Jeans were fresh and the shirt was ironed. Well...maybe he cares.
At 7.15 Speed told Alexx that they could start eating.
"Give her few monutes ok?"
"Alexx... you know how punctual she is. Maybe she just...doesn't want to see me."
"She knew you're here. Didn't say anything to that".
The bell interrupted them." Open the door please honey."
He went with a grim face. When the door opened the first thing he noticed were her tired eyes. He suddenly felt guilty. She looked at him wearily.
"Hi Tim."
"Hi Court. Let my take it". He took the bag from her hands.
"Thanks". She took off her shoes.
"How are you?"
"Fine. You?"
"Fine."
They both entered the dining room with the lasagne on the table.
"Thank you dear for the wine...we actually got two now ." Alexx smiled to her gloomy guests.
"Tim would you?"
"Yeah sure".
"Just a bit for me ok?"
"You don't want wine?" Speed said
"I'm on the phone in ER. Last minute. But help yourselves."
They started eating in silence.
"Courtney, Tim...I invited you here to give you something you don't want to give to each other- a chance to talk. You both knew who will be here so no surprise. I care for both of you, so I want you two to talk. I don't know if it makes you become close again or help you to split up, but you need to talk. Tim, you're 40. Not a teenager. Decided to ask her to marry you and she said yes.
Courtney you're over 25." She smiled. "A good time to get married. Married because of love, not the duty for the engagement ring. So... Why do you keep avoiding each other?"
"I've tried.. I've tried to meet him"
"I am still here, Court. You can talk to me" Speed murmured.
She turned to him. "You had no time. For a cup of coffee, nor for a call. I've tried many times..."
"I know. I made mistake. But you knew it will be a busy time... I will work a lot".
"I did...but didn't realize how much. So I cut my expectations of spending evenings together, cinema, walks, to few minutes while the lunch, the phone call. And didn't get any of that."
Speed put his head down.
"I inow. I'm deadly tired. I'm wasted. I stopped watching tv meeting friends, eating..." he looked at Alexx sheepishly. "I stopped taking a shower at late night doing it in the morning, because I fell asleep in my all day clothes. I almost had a car accident, when I fell asleep behind the wheel. I did bad. I know. I should have known better."
"Timmy...  Court... The point is if you can still share your life".
"I don't know. I feel Tim's occupied with something else...someone else."
"Are you?"Alexx simply asked
Tim looked at Court with a surprised face
"Occupied?what do you mean?"
She said nothing. Instead Alexx looked at him and said "Natalia. You talk to her a lot."
"Boa Vista???? Really?" he chuckled
"Yeah. Talk to her, smile and bring evidence personally..."
"She's a colleague , Court. Yours too."
"I know. But..".
"Ask him" said Alexx abruptly.
"Did you cheat on me ?"
Speed looked surprised
"What?cheat? You don't know me THAT MUCH???? I wouldn't do that. It's you who separated, Courtney.I'd give the evidence to you if you let me... Instead you declined my calls".
"Don't shout Tim. Don't."
" She asked and you answered and the cheating thing is closed. Have you got any more things to be cleared or bother you?"
"No."
"Tim?"
"Why? Why didn't you move in with me?"
"I... I needed some space. I was afraid of such a fast commitment. After that fast love relation with Andrew I found it difficult to trust."
"Why didn't you tell me? I'd understand".
"I don't know. I was afraid of rejection. I think. "
The phone rang. Alexx took it and they both were eating in silence, thinking about what was already said.
"Sorry guys...I need to go. I guess I can leave you to finish the dish?"
Speed nodded and so did Courtney.
"Talk to each other. To finish the old days and start new. Whatever they bring. The guest rooms are for you to stay. In the morning I want it all washed up" she lauged and left in a hurry.
They started cleaning soon after. Then had another glass of wine. Speed came closed and held her in his arms. "Everything will be fine babe, I promise."
She was crying. He couldn't say anything more, but knew that she needs to let it flow. She suddenly kissed him and he answered. It was very short when they placed themselves in one of the rooms Alexx prepared. It was like the old days.He felt loved again and she felt desired. It wasn't meant to happen, but it just did. A lot of wine visible helped that.They fell asleep tired but happy.
When the morning sun shone, before opening his eyes, Speed felt good again. Like everything was in place. The last night showed that she was still  passionate towards him, caring and....in love. All he wanted to do was to have her close again. He promised himself never give up on her.He opened his eyes and wanted to ask, if she wants some coffee.
The bed was empty though. Going to the next room finding nothing, and the same in the bathroom, he entered the kitchen with the strange feeling.
There was a letter there.
"Tim,
I cannot live like that. It's not the life I've always wanted. I'm sorry. I'm starting the work in NYC tomorrow. I'm already packed. Don't call me, don't make it harder. In the envelope there is something that belongs to you."
He looked into it, devastated.
There was the ring.
He was speechless